Alle Jahre wieder du

"Same Time, Next Christmas" is a Comedy - Romance holiday movie in which we watch a couple who reconnects every year at Christmas, despite their lives taking different paths.

I found this movie simple and predictable but enjoyable enough. While the movie brings some festive cheer and holiday spirit, it ultimately struggles to break free from the typical rom-com formula. The combination of both Lea Michele who played as Olivia Anderson and Charles Michael Davis who played as Jeff Williams is charming enough, their relationship lacks the depth needed to make the story truly engaging. The plot itself is predictable and feels overly familiar, with few surprises to keep the audience invested. Despite its weaknesses, the movie does succeed in creating a cozy, feel-good atmosphere and the picturesque, warm, tropical setting helps. While the festive vibe is perfect for a holiday watch, despite missing the emotional depth or originality in the plot. In conclusion, I have to say that "Same Time, Next Christmas" is a decent choice for those looking for a light, predictable holiday romance and don't expect more from it.

This movie is filled to the brim with great actors, but unfortunately that seems to be the only thing great about it. The character writing is generally passable for a rom-com, except for Bryan Greenberg's character, Gregg, who is boring, obsessed with work and so self-obeseed it is a wonder he is ever considered a viable romantic possibility, and Phil Morris' character, Mr. Williams, whose personality is 'sports', and that's it. Although portrayed well by their actors, these characters take the viewer right out of the story. The story is classically rom-com cheesy and predictable, and it guides the viewer through the story in a way that makes it seem like they expect the viewer to be a little slow. Lea Michele is fantastic, although her character also has its issues. Unfortunately, it seems the creators of this piece spent the money on the actors and the locations, and not the writing and editing team.

I know Lea Michele mainly from "Glee", where she was a mix of appealing an annoying. I liked her character a lot there, and she has had several TV roles since which I didn't enjoy quite as much. Here she is very appealing and still quite pretty. Her acting is good for this sort of movie.

Charles Michael Davis is also quite appealing. I sort of see where he has a different kind of appeal, but I don't really get the full benefit.

Phil Morris does a very good job, but that's to be expected. He was a detective from "The Young and the Restless" and I have seen him in other roles. I do wonder, though, why so many football metaphors when it's baseball he loves.

Bryan Greenberg has a certain appeal and is not a stereotypical bad guy. He just doesn't fit with this group and we know it. His attempt to be one of them is impressive. We just doubt we'll be quite happy with him.

Of course this movie fits a formula. It's a great formula. Sure, there is a little more uncertainty than I would have liked, but the ending is satisfactory. Or maybe it's more than that. I don't want to say too much.

Is this family friendly? I'd like to say so. On ABC it was rated TV-PG-D, and while I don't recall anything of an explicit nature, maybe they were being cautious because there were kids in the cast.

I don't see nearly enough of these movies. Aside from the fact that I don't want to spend the kind of money required to get all the channels, I wouldn't have time for all the movies like this on a certain channel whose name we all know.

But if I had to see just one of these movies this year (and I'm hoping the channels I have will offer more of them later) this is a good one.

In a change from the usual Christmas movie this one spans some time. Childhood friends from vacation in Hawaii eventually find love after lots of bad timing. Lea Michelle acts well but she doesn't have much chemistry with her smiling costar Chad Davis.

OK. That's it. No more cookie cutter Christmas romances for me. The writings bad, even good actors phone in their performances, and, the romance never plums any depth. I give this film a 4 (poor) out of 10 and abandoned the search for a contemporary Christmas romance. {Christmas Romance}